Charles Burchfield, Journals, August 1, 1942

To Wallpaper picnic at Ebenezer. Over at 11:30 - But few fellows there - and only one I knew, a block-cutter (I could not recall his name but fortunately someone called him by name Johnny Siska) - He said "Hello Charlie, old boy" - and I felt a warm glow of being welcomed. Very soon after Bill MacInerny, and Tom Callahan arrived, and likewise seemed overjoyed to see me; this put me in such a happy frame of mind that for several hours, I saw everyone and everything thru a golden haze of sentiment. It was not until late in the afternoon that the feeling wore off, and I began to grow bored with the beer-drinking poker games, and crap-shooting that went on ceaselessly - Then indeed many of the men began to seem gross and ordinary (especially those who were new to me) and O longed to run-away. However the main 91. event of the picnic had not yet taken place (the dinner) and inasmuch as some of the company "officials" had come and stayed only an hour, I hated likewise to run out on them, especially since they insisted I be their guest, and they were making every effort to entertain me. If only all meetings with former friends and associated, could only be timed exactly to last just as long as the first warm glow of renewed contact lasted, how much better it would be. Tho I eventually did long to get away, still, there will always remain with me, that pleasant few hours, when I felt that we were overjoyed to see each other again.

An attempt was made in mid-afternoon to get up the usual "games" and races. Not many had come however, and after three desultory races, the games were abandoned. I was persuaded to fill out in the "old man's race"! -

Dinner was at five-thirty, and by 6:30 the party broke up. Pal taken with fits.